Wednesday, 20 September 2017

20th September 2017 Unst SE1 Overcast with drizzle

Calm with light drizzle cleared with a southeasterly breeze. With such promising conditions it was disappointing that just the Blyth's Lesser Whitethroat was present at Skaw with the Whinchat again being seen at Braeview on our return. A stranded Gannet was an unexpected surprise along the burn at Burrafirth where a Kestrel was also seen. A Blackcap and Willow Warbler were new arrivals in our garden and as we drove through Baltasound a Yellow-browed Warbler flicked across the road and into the grounds of Buness House. Lund proved quiet with just a Blackcap seen. As we were leaving Westing I very kindly received both a text and voicemail from Roger R to say that Brydon had found a female Siberian Thrush at Ordaal but was having difficulty getting hold of us (no phone signal at Lund)! We raced back north and enjoyed several flight views seeing its underwing pattern on each occasion and a couple of very brief views of it on the deck - the fourth Siberian Thrush that I've been fortunate to see in the UK! There were 2 or 3 Yellow-browed Warblers in the same gardens. A flock of 4 Mealy Redpolls were then seen nearby.